Clasp for bracelet straps



May24, 1932. s. A. JOHNSON 1,859,365

CLASP FOR BRACELET STRAPS- Filed May 25, 1951" IN VEN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Patented May 24, 1932 warren era-ar as SYLVESTEI} A. JOHNSON, OF NORTH EROVIIDENGE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR T0 ALBERT E. R. SPEIDEL, OF EDGEWOOD, RHODE ISLAND CLASP FOR BRACELET STRAPS Application filed May 23, 1931.

This invention relates to an end member for a bracelet strap, particularly a cord bracelet or the like; and has for its object to provide a construction by which the strap may be easily positioned into one portion of the clasp and then the other portion moved into binding engagement therewith.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means whereby one jaw member may be bodily removed from the other jaw of the clasp and then suitably moved into binding engagement with the strap.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means whereby the end member may be clasped to a strap or the like in a man ner quicker than that provided where the ends are threaded into the end member.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an end member which will be smooth on the surface contacting with the arm to prevent abrasion or catching of the device in the sheer fabric of the clothing of the wearer.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a construction by which the movement of the gripping member into grip- Ding position will continue to tighten its binding engagement upon the strap throughout its movement rather than passing a peak of binding engagement and then diminishing.

With these and other objects andadvantageous features in view, the invention consists of a novel arrangement of parts more fully disclosed in the detailed description following. in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and more particularly set forth in the appended claims.

Fig. 1 is a. top plan view of the cord bracelet with my improved end member secured thereto.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the top surface of the end member.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the end -member with a. cord or strap bracelet attached thereto. I

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the strap removed and the clasp in open posi tion. 1

Serial No. 539,497.

Fig. 6 is a section view showing the clasp in open position.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. '6 with the clasp partly moved to closed position.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Figs. 6 and 7 with the clasp moved to closed position.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

In the use of strap bracelets which are made of fabric or material which easily frays, it is found difiicult to thread such a strap, particularly cords of silk or the like, beneath a clamping member which is pivoted to the side walls of the body of the clasp and consequently a large amount of time is consumed in assembling such a cord and end member, and in order to simplify the assembly operation, I have provided a construction by which one of the jaws or the gripping member of the clasp may be completely removed from the body member or other jaw to allow the cord to be laid in as distinguished from threading beneath the end member, after which the gripping member is moved to position its end beneath suitable lugs or projections and then swung to cause the gripping member to act against these lugs or projections and move toward the body member and into firm engagement with the cord or strap; and the following is a detailed description of the present embodiment of this invention illustrating the improved means by which these advantageous results may be accomplished:

With reference to the drawings, 10 designates the body member of the clasp which is provided with a top wall 11, and side walls 12 forming a generally channel shaped construction. Projections 13 extend inwardly from the side walls at one end and a gripping member 14 is movably attached to the body v by means of a link 15 which is provided with trunnions 16 at one end pivoted in the side Walls 12 at the opposite end and which link is provided with trunnions at its opposite end to be pivoted in the ears 17 of the' gripper 14. This gripper 14 is provided with a toothed flange l8 and is offset as at 19 providing a cam surface 20.

In operation the gripper is lifted from the move the toothed flange 18 beneath these projections to the position illustrated in Fig. 8

. and thereby swinging the connecting link as illustrated in Fig. 8. The offset 18 therein permits the outer surface-22 of the gripper to lie flush with the projections 13 and also forms a space for the reception of the link 15 for compact arrangement of the parts.

The major portion of the gripper is domed or convexed on its outer surface to provide a; smooth surface for the'wrist and also forms a convenient curve to remove all sharp edges and prevent the end member from catching in the sheer clothing of the wearer.

The body of the clasp may be provided with any suitable attaching connection. I have 25 here illustrated a hook 23 for engagement with the frame shaped link 24 to receive the center connector 25 by which the bracelet may be detached one part from the other for removing a wrist watch or the like from the wrist. The body member is also provided with a rib 25 to assist in positioning the cord bracelet or the like therein and which also serves to stifien and strengthen the body member of the clasp.

The foregoing description is directed solely towards the construction illustrated, but I desire it to be understood that I reserve the privilege of resorting to all the mechanical changes to which the device is susceptible, the invention being defined and limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

\ I claim: v

'1. An end clasp for a strap or the like, comprising a body member having upstanding portions along its sides, a gripper member, a link connecting said-members together, and cooperating means between said members for binding a strap or the like between them, including a laterally-extending overhanging portion from one of said u standing portions on said body member eneath which said gripper may extend.

2. An end-clasp for a strap or the like, comprising a body member having upstanding portions along its sides, a gripper member, a link pivoted to each of said members and connecting them together, and means whereby said members may be manipulated to clamp a strap between them, including a laterally extending overhanging portion from one of said upstanding portions on said body member beneath which said gripper may extend. 3. An end clasp for a strap or the like comprising a body member, agrippermem- 'WEtll, projections by to cause the ma per to lie in the plane of said projections.

ber, a link connecting said members together and copperating means between said members for binding a strap or the like between them comprising projections on one of said members and a cam surface on the other of position.

5. An end clasp for a strap or the like comprising a body member, a gripper member, a link connecting said members together and cooperating means between said members for binding a strap or the like between them, comprising inwardly extending projections on said body member beneath which is positioned one end portion of the gripper member and a cam surface on said gripper member to engage said projections and force said gripper into engagement with the strap upon being swung to closed position.

6. end clasp for a strap or-the like comprising a body member having a bottom spaced from said bottom wall, a gripper member having teeth at one end, said end being insertable beneath said projections, a link pivoted to the gripper member at a point spaced from said end and connected at its opposite end to said body member whereby when said gripper is swung on said link connection with its end under said projections, said end moves toward said bottom wall to bind a strap or the like between said members.

7. An end clasp for a strap or the like comprising a body member having a bottom wall, projections spaced from said bottom wall, a gripper member having teeth at one end, said toothed end being insertable beneath said projections, a link-pivoted to the gripper member at a point spaced from said end and connected at its opposite end to said body member whereby when said gripper is swung on said link connection with its end under said projection, said end moves toward said bottom wall to bind a strap or the like between said members, the portion of said gripper located beneath said projections being offset from the remainder thereof whereor portion of said grip- 8. An end clasp for a cord bracelet comprising a body member having side walls, projections extending inwardly from the side walls at one end thereof, a gripping mem her having teeth at one end and a cam supeeaeee face adjacent said end, a link pivoted at one end to the opposite end of the side walls and at its opposite end to said gripper member whereby said gripper member may be lifted from the body member for the reception of a cord bracelet end or the like and then closed by moving the end with the cam surface beneath said projections and swinging the member downwardly to cause the teeth at said find to bind the bracelet between said memers.

In testimony whereof I afiix my si ature.

SYLVESTER A. J O SON. 

